Marble Arch lit up after revamp

The landmark 181-year-old Marble Arch in London's West End has been surrounded with lights to highlight its features as part of a £2.1m revamp.

Three fountains opposite the Arch that have not been in use for 10 years, have also been repaired and will be lit up by the red, white and blue lights.

A 27ft statue of a horse by artist Nic Fiddian-Green has become a centrepiece on the lawn facing the Arch.

The Arch was moved from near Buckingham Palace to its current location in 1851.

The restoration was funded by Westminster City Council, Transport for London and New West End Company, which represents 600 retailers in Bond Street, Oxford Street and Regent Street.

English Heritage, which maintains the Grade I listed structure, gave £150,000 to the project.

Arch replaced Gallows

Westminster City Council Leader Councillor Colin Barrow said: "The restored Arch, along with the fountains and the newly landscaped grounds, will ensure this grand gateway to the West End gets the recognition it rightly deserves."

Graham Saunders senior planning advisor for the London region at English Heritage, said: "This is a key historic London landmark set within a particularly challenging location, and this programme of works will significantly enhance its setting and attractiveness for visitors and Londoners alike to enjoy."

A restoration of the Arch itself took place in 2004.

Marble Arch was originally part of a grand gateway to the palace but it was moved after it was reportedly found to be too small for Queen Victoria's carriage.

The Arch, designed by John Nash in 1828, is built of white Carrara marble and its design was taken from the triumphal arch of Constantine in Rome.

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